Scotch College

President’s Column

This edition profiles the Cardinal Club:

It is with excitement and pride that I welcome you all to the start of the 2012 rowing season, the 145th year of rowing at Scotch College. With Melbourne Grammar, we share the oldest school boy rowing history in Australia.

Earlier this year Scotch College won its 39th Head of the River title at Nagambie in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. The Head of the River had its humble beginnings in 1868 when Scotch College challenged our great friend and most worthy of rivals Melbourne Grammar School to a “friendly four-oar gig race”. Scotch won that race and has rowed in every ‘Head of the River’ race, as it is now known, since. Scotch has won the Head of the River on seven more occasions than any other school in Victoria!

I share this remarkable history with you as it shows that rowing is very much the essence of Scotch College. As a current parent and a former Scotch schoolboy rower I felt the excitement and rejuvenation of spirit standing on the river bank last Saturday morning watching boys of all ages and abilities, head onto the water of the Scotch Straight in front of the Boat Club. I saw the enthusiasm and camaraderie of each crew and in particular the eagerness of the new rowers. I watched car after car arrive at the boat sheds unloading boys, food, sporting bags and reflected on how fortunate the boys are to have families who believe in them, and are prepared to support their endeavours. Having a rower in the family is a big commitment, but the benefits the boys gain far out weigh the negatives - team work, persistence, a new skill, an obligation to each other and most importantly to the boys - ‘ripped bodies’.

The Cardinal Club is committed to welcoming all members of the school community to rowing and to help parents of rowers get the most out of the Scotch rowing experience. It is more than early mornings; long drives to regattas; feeding boys; standing on the riverbank trying to work out if it’s your son’s crew heading towards you in the glare of the sun and then in which seat he sits, feeding boys again and driving home. Involvement in Scotch rowing results in lifelong friendships for many parents standing on the riverbank of the Yarra, or Nagambie or any other regatta venue.

The Cardinal Club is unique within the Scotch family of sporting clubs and parents’ auxiliaries in that it is both a sporting club and a parents’ auxiliary. The Cardinal Club, through its members, runs social activities during the season and it raises money for the Scotch College Boat Club to improve rowing facilities and to purchase training equipment. It supports Scotch Rowing by organising breakfasts each morning during the season. It provides parents with a place to meet at regattas. The Cardinal Club sells merchandise and hosts many important events during the season.

The official launch of the 2011/12 rowing season is early morning before the Head of the Yarra Regatta on Saturday 26 November 2011, with a row past of crews along the Scotch Straight while parents enjoy a much needed coffee and breakfast from the bank, by the Rowing Club. All rowing parents and friends are encouraged to attend the season launch and then stay on to watch the race from the Scotch landing. For families new to rowing, it’s also a great way to begin those new life-long friendships and, for returning families to rekindle friendships from last season and help new families enjoy the spirit of rowing.

Stephen

Stephen Webster
PRESIDENT, CARDINAL CLUB